Africa

Reality check on DDT use

By The World ⋅ August 7, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment
SINCLAIR STAMMERS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

SINCLAIR STAMMERS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

So what’s the reality when it comes to DDT? Is it really necessary for fighting malaria? How dangerous is it to people? May Berenbaum studies insects, and writes about the relationship between bugs and people. She heads the department of entomology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Ask Berenbaum your questions in our World Science Forum.

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Discussion

5 comments for “Reality check on DDT use”

  • Robyn Waayers

    I was very disappointed to hear NO mention of the tremendous harm that DDT brings to animals in the natural food chains in the vicinity of where it is used. The Bald Eagle, Brown Pelican, Peregrine Falcon and many other large raptors suffered massive die-offs in the United States as the biological magnification of DDT in the food chain caused to it to weaken these birds’ egg-shells to the point where successful reproduction came almost to a stand-still. It is bad enough that the Ugandan government apparently cares little about their own ecology, but worrisome too, that this phenomenon was completely ignored by May Berenbaum and the producers of “The World.”

  • Barmak Kusha

    Dear Robyn, these damages occurred as a result of massive agricultural-scale use of DDT. The amounts used in some places in IRS, are “residual” – tiny amounts. I’d be happy to, as I’m sure Professor Berenbaum would be, to share articles that show the differences in amounts – they are monumental; risks are thus much smaller in comparison.

    • Victor

      There is absolutely no good use for DDT, 2,4-D or any related chemical in the group. I’m shocked that is even considered for use in any application.
      The example of Clear Lake Rachel Carson (1962) provides is instructive. The water may clear, but the concentration builds in the food chain quickly. I like eating fish, oysters, grouse and turkey. DDT gets there some way and it’s along the food chain.
      The better detriment to insects and pest is to introduce their natural enemies. Nature has a way to bring thing into balance IF MANKIND DOESN’T TAMPER with the process.
      We’ve interfered? OK, time to back off.

      • Kelvin Krastel

        We back off and millions of people die. Since the ban of DDT South Africa’s deaths from malaria has risen from 20,000 per year to 350,000. Do you get inoculated against diseases? Of course you do. That is also interference. We “interfere” a million times a day and have since the dawn of time.